Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms, now with NBC Sports, joined Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk to discuss the San Francisco 49ers' outlook for the upcoming season. He loves what the team has done this offseason to bolster its defense.
How good can the unit be with additions like pass rushers Dee Ford and Nick Bosa and linebacker Kwon Alexander?
"When you evaluate the San Francisco 49ers, I think the first thing that jumps out to me more than anything is the improvement the defense made in the 2018 season," Simms told Florio. "The defense was for real, and really, the moments it struggled were moments when the backup quarterbacks, the guys filling in for Jimmy Garoppolo, really struggled offensively, and the defense had to be on the field too much, and they wore out.
"I look at the roster and I go, 'Wow.' The defense has got talent. Their front seven has a chance to be special. You add Dee Ford, Kwon Alexander, a middle linebacker, and Nick Bosa to your front seven; I say watch out for that combination. They have a chance to certainly be a top-10 defense. Maybe even a top-5 defense."
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On offense, San Francisco will be getting a lot of players back from injury, including starting quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo. Simms believes the unit has its offensive line in place, and just needs Garoppolo to remain healthy. The offense will be getting back running back Jerick McKinnon, who like Garoppolo is returning from a torn ACL, and added another weapon at the position in Tevin Coleman.
"And then you add the two receivers they drafted in rounds two and three," Simms adds. "Deebo Samuel out of South Carolina and Jalen Hurd out of Baylor, Mike, the offense is really complete.
"Last year, I don't know if you remember, I was telling everybody (to) pump the breaks on the expectations of the 49ers. They're not there yet. This year, I don't say pump the breaks.
"I say they're a playoff-caliber football team or at least in the conversation. I would be absolutely shocked if we got to mid-December and the 49ers weren't in the race for the six-spot, the five-spot, whatever it may be, in contention somehow to get in and play in January."
You can watch the discussion below. It's worth the listen just to hear the term "rocket up his butt."
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